Number Of Vegans In Britain Tops Half A Million

Britain has seen a surge in people turning vegan, with more than half a million people now eating a diet completely free of animal products.

The figure of 542,000 is a staggering 350% rise on the 150,000 people eating a vegan diet in 2006, and now stands at one in every 118 people in the UK.

As well as vegan diets being on the rise, a huge 1.68 million are vegetarians - people who refuse to eat meat but still eat eggs and dairy products.

Research conducted by The Vegan Society showed that the rise is down to more young people taking up veganism for ethical and compassionate reasons.

The research, conducted in partnership with Vegan Life magazine, showed that close to half (42%) of all vegans are aged between 15 and 34, compared to just 14% who are over 65.

Around a quarter (22%) of vegans live in London.

Jasmijn de Boo, CEO of The Vegan Society, described the figures as “fantastic”.

Ethical: More young people are taking up a completely meat-free diet (Rex)

She said: “More people than ever are now acting upon the health and environmental benefits of veganism, and finding out what really goes on in the meat and dairy industries and deciding they do not want to contribute to the pain and suffering of animals.”

Vegan Life magazine publishing director Keith Coomber added: “As consumers become more savvy about the reality of the farming industry, and the health implications of meat and dairy products, this boom will only continue.”

Top pic: Wikipedia